Virtual World Tales

Have you heard about IWNN? A fun news site covering all things InWorldz! I was really flattered to be invited to join their writing staff…and in my spare time (ha!) have finally submitted something for them.

My piece covers a recent summer fashion show – but please explore the whole site. It still feels fairly new there – but, new content is added often!

Time! There just isn’t enough of it! I’m fortunate to have ample time for virtual living – but there’s still not enough when you’re trying to have two of them (and a full time RL job too).

In spite of my (sigh) corrupt SL account situation, I’m juggling viewers and have spent quite a bit of time giving SL Astoria a much needed face-lift!

Sneaking a Peek

I’d been so exclusive with InWorldz since November, it seemed weird to really sit down, dust off my inventory (a HUGE chore still in progress), slip into some REALLY great SL hair and shoes 🙂 and see what I could do here. Weird to look at the drab unchangeable terrain textures and weird to think of facing the social scene of SL. My months in IWz have been filled with incredibly happy avis that love to go on and on about how much better IWz is than SL.

Since all my time was being spent IWz, seems I must agree with them all! There is something special there. More relaxed. Calmer. Stress free. Nicer pace. Friendlier avis. Fresh Start. These are all things I’ve heard repeatedly IWz, when it’s compared to SL.

My plans for SL Astoria’s face-lift are coming in to place in my mind nicely. After years of showing off my coveted antique collection….I’ve decided to showcase my own creations. My IWz time has lured me to a different vintage feel..similar, but a bit more old world. You’ve seen the bronze lanterns and rustic details in my photos from there… I’ve begun recreating many of the IWz things in SL.

It seemed it would be easy enough – as there’s a very cool Import/Export feature for your own creations. I’ll just “tp” them trans-grid! That works..but not really so great. (contact me in either world for more details about the process) And many of my builds feature some awesome textures and sculpt maps that I’ve purchased. This means getting permission for using in both worlds…or buying it in both worlds (mostly i opt for buying). …before we all nod off with the dull details of the Import/Export business… let’s just conclude that I find it easier to start them from scratch.

This takes much more time than anticipated! 🙂

What a great surprise to find some awesome build supplies in my SL Inventory. Textures, maps, animations… things I’ve never used even! I’ve barely scratched the surface of my Inventory…there’s some fun tools in there…just waiting to make something new!

Building in SL is just as fun as building IWz! And the people?

Why do all the IWz fans say what they do? Or are the people actually different IWz? IWz certainly attracts a certain user – typically one who likes to create, appreciates the affordable and generous prim allotment – somebody who needs space – and doesn’t need a lot of external amusement (hundreds of clubs and events, and thousands of people, at any hour of the day).

But honestly, I think people are the same anywhere! Just like RL. Perhaps IWz feels better because we’ve removed ourself (escaped?) from our old SL friends, who’ve grown boring, needy, drama riddled, pains in our asses…? (No, I’m not talking about anyone I know…just sayin’…)

I’m not saying bad things about anyone in SL…just that, I’m responsible for my SL – and if IWz feels so much better, then I must have let my SL grow to a less pleasant place.

But I’m finding IWz isn’t better – it’s just another layer! 🙂 My SL has certainly changed over the years. My IWz will surely change too! There’s room for me to have both virtual lives in my RL… just not enough damn time!

My task list in both worlds is very long. I plan to finish a few SL projects and then try to divide my time more equally – checking in to both worlds regularly, starting new build projects in both worlds at the same time should be easier than backtracking as I have been.

Aside from being cheaper with plentiful prims, which grid do you prefer? Why? Lastly, why are there SL fans that won’t even look at other grids?

(added after posting) I see many are web searching the topic “inworldz vs SL”. I’ll add a stat I’ve observed. When I joined IWz in Oct. 2010, there were 650 privately owned sims/regions. Now, in April 2011 – 850. Average attendance at sign-in was always below 150 – now it’s always over 150 -pushing 200 most of the time. My furniture sales in both worlds seem quite comparable. SL continues to have 50k (or more!) at any given time. As much as I love my IWz, those numbers must be considered, in my opinion. In defense of IWz, I’ll add a reminder that it’s still in beta! The IWz founders are steadily working on scripting upgrades and ways that make this grid more steady. I have great faith that it will soon be as stable (if not more so) than SL. But will it ever reach those SL numbers…? that would be a surprise! Does it need to? Not in my book!)

Groups! I have a love hate relationship with them! They serve so many great purposes – but, can also be annoying, disruptive beds for growing false information. I’ll try to keep my personal preferences out of here – but share some basic group etiquette that should benefit everyone!
GROUP CHAT

A little grammar, please. I realize it’s a casual environment, but to prevent confusion…add a comma here and there – so we can distinguish one point from another.

Who are you speaking to? If the group chat includes more than one topic/conversation/thread…mention the name of who you’re addressing. This is so other people will know what topic you’re addressing.

Promoting an event? DETAILS!! Of course the date, time & location are important…but what kind of event is it? Specifically, what is new at your shop? How much is it? How many prims are included? It’s only the really bored reader that’s going to respond to a vague announcement!

Does the group have criteria? Limits to chat topics or Notice frequency? As a group owner, set them – and post them where all members can see (group description, perhaps). As a participant in a group, heed them. What you consider a friendly invite can be considered spam by another… Know your audience and respect their expectations.

How many notices are really needed for an event? Most people in world are spontaneous. “There’s a great show now, let’s go!”… but a week long update – 7 days till the big show, 6 days till the big show, 5 days, etc… Please stop!

Consider a web based calendar for a busy agenda. 2-3 events per day, or a jam packed weekend line up? Have one place where your followers can look to see it all! Let your group notices be lighter – encourage your followers to learn how to get updates 24/7. While I’m at RL work, I might check my favorite musicians Google calendar to see if there’s a show I want to attend that evening…. InWorldz blog pages would also work for this. (web pages that feature your creations would also serve this purpose…updated with new merchandise.)

Too many group notices? Too much chat? Check the Group’s page and review the options in lower right corner. You can disable them temporarily and/or individually. If that’s too extreme, consider “tearing off” the group chat window and minimizing it….then the group chat can go on without it pinging each time, and you can review what you missed, at your leisure.

An InWorldz specific suggestion, as the Profiles can’t be opened by clicking on avi names from within group chat window… (one most go to Search, then look up the avi). Don’t make the person who’s willing to dig an LM (or whatever) out of their inventory for you ALSO have to search your name to deliver it. The person seeking help should be doing some of the work, no?

Personally, I like to see groups stay true to their origins. If I’m in a group for cat lovers, it isn’t because I wanted to hear about your day, your broken heart or visions for your sim….if I’m interested in your day, I’ll send you an IM. Particularly in a large group with a fairly broad focus, doesn’t it just seem polite (and discreet) to take your personal details to IM? If what your discussing takes more than 2-3 entries, perhaps you should pause and contemplate how many of the people in this group want/need to know what you’re talking about.

And since you’ve made it this far, I’ll be very blunt and say that, overall, I dislike ALL groups! I cringe when there’s dozens of notices each time I sign in…my blood pressure goes up each time an IM interrupts my work… I actually boycott any establishment that sends me more than one announcement per day!!! Yet, there are facets of each group that I want – so I don’t turn off the announcements. When you ramble on in a group chat, I mute you for the day! I don’t dislike anyone in the groups. The groups I’m in are full of great, friendly and helpful people and there’s such an amazing network being developed – every day! – I just prefer a quieter experience when I sign in (/me is a weird hermit)

I hope the groups I’m in don’t think I’m a bitch now… Perhaps I could form a new group “People Who Think Dancer is Bitchy”?? LOL Am I the only one who feels this way?

I think a few flowers would look great on this hill, and the next thing I know, hours have passed and my landscaping creativity has taken off like…well, like wildflowers.

It’s really an indulgent feeling to dabble on this amazing, new, complete, and TOTALLY mine, sim! 🙂 Like a clean slate! (vs. SL) I’m sure this is why I am feeling such creative surges!

This photo was taken about 6 weeks in to the project. The light house has definitely become a skyline focus! Kudos to Bruce Dyszel for his great build! (by the way, it’s for sale!) I’m trying hard to rez only my own builds on this sim…the light house is one of 3 items (so far) that I didn’t create.

I seem to struggle conceptually here, with the wonderful hills and skyline. They are a great backdrop empty – but ultimately, I want to landscape them…somehow. The hills are steep and finding the right vegetation keeps my mind guessing. As I’m prone to TOO MUCH CLUTTER, lol, I’m not rushing to cover the hills, I’m sure I will find something to put there!

Unlike my building experiences in SL, I’m much more interested in the overall vision of this sim. Looking at new additions from every angle, every distance, every time of day. A much bigger scope than I’m familiar with – and quite enjoyable.